1. Linda Blair
Linda Blair became a household name for her role as the possessed Regan MacNeil in The Exorcist (1973), a role that earned her an Oscar nomination at just 14. However, after the movie’s overwhelming success, Blair faced intense media scrutiny and struggled to avoid being typecast. She appeared in several films in the ’70s and ’80s, but as time passed, her career became less frequent. Eventually, Blair made the decision to step away from acting to focus on her personal life and activism.
She became passionate about animal rights and later opened a sanctuary for animals. Though she returned to acting in TV and film sporadically, her role as an advocate for animals overshadowed her previous fame. Linda Blair now leads a quiet life, often seen participating in charity events and speaking out on behalf of animal welfare. It’s clear that for Blair, the spotlight no longer holds the same allure as it once did.
2. Kristy McNichol
Kristy McNichol’s rise to fame was swift after her breakout role in the hit TV show Family (1976-1980), where she played Letitia “Buddy” Lawrence. Her success continued with roles in Little Darlings (1980) and The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia (1981). Despite her success, McNichol’s life behind the scenes was fraught with personal struggles. In 1982, she announced that she was stepping away from Hollywood to take a break from acting, citing exhaustion and a desire to focus on her mental health.
The decision seemed to come as a shock, but McNichol later spoke openly about her struggles with depression. After her departure from acting, McNichol led a much more private life and made a brief return in the ’90s, but it wasn’t long before she disappeared from the public eye again. These days, McNichol remains out of the limelight, having found peace in a more secluded existence. Her journey reminds us that even the brightest stars can need a break from the pressure of fame.
3. Danny Bonaduce
Danny Bonaduce became a teen sensation playing the mischievous Danny Partridge on The Partridge Family (1970-1974), a role that made him a household name. However, the fame that came with it was overwhelming, and Bonaduce struggled with addiction and personal issues. His tumultuous life, marked by numerous public controversies and battles with substance abuse, led him to step away from acting for a time. Bonaduce eventually shifted his focus to radio and television hosting, finding a new career in the entertainment industry.
He became a popular personality in the 2000s, hosting radio shows and appearing in reality TV series. Though Bonaduce continues to maintain a presence in the media, his acting career remains in the past. His story is a reminder of the pressures child stars face and how they can impact their lives long after the cameras stop rolling.
4. Tatum O’Neal
Tatum O’Neal made history when she became the youngest actress to win an Academy Award at just 10 years old for her role in Paper Moon (1973). Despite her remarkable success, O’Neal’s career was often overshadowed by her personal life, including a turbulent relationship with her father, Ryan O’Neal, and struggles with addiction. She continued acting into her teenage years, but by the 1980s, O’Neal stepped away from Hollywood, choosing instead to focus on her recovery and personal growth.
In later years, O’Neal tried to return to acting, appearing in smaller roles, but her career never reached the same heights. She became an advocate for addiction recovery, using her personal experiences to help others. While she remains an occasional presence in Hollywood, Tatum O’Neal has largely left her acting career behind. Her story is one of incredible highs and painful lows, but also one of resilience and self-discovery.
5. Jodie Foster
Jodie Foster’s impressive career began early, with roles in films like Taxi Driver (1976) and Bugsy Malone (1976), but she shocked the world when, after her success, she decided to pursue a college education instead of continuing to act. Foster chose to attend Yale University, where she graduated with a degree in literature, much to the surprise of her fans. After completing her studies, Foster returned to acting and began a more focused career, taking on diverse and complex roles.
She has since transitioned into directing and producing, and her body of work remains highly respected. Though she has not stepped away entirely, her decision to take a break from acting during her younger years was a testament to her desire to build a well-rounded life beyond Hollywood. Foster’s career is a rare example of a child star successfully navigating adulthood and staying true to her passions. She remains one of the most celebrated actresses of her generation.
6. Shelley Duvall
Shelley Duvall’s distinctive, quirky performances in films like The Shining (1980) and Popeye (1980) made her a beloved character actress in the ’70s and ’80s. However, after a few intense years in the public eye, Duvall withdrew from the entertainment industry in the mid-’80s. She cited a desire for privacy and a need to focus on her personal well-being. In the years following her departure, Duvall became increasingly reclusive, staying out of the public eye and rarely making appearances.
While she continued to live a quiet life, she did make an unexpected return to the media in 2016 during an interview with Dr. Phil, which raised concerns about her mental health. Duvall’s decision to leave Hollywood was motivated by her desire to regain control of her life away from the pressures of fame. Today, Duvall’s absence from Hollywood remains a mystery, and her legacy as a talented actress continues to be remembered by fans.
7. Leif Garrett
Leif Garrett was a teen idol in the ’70s, starring in TV shows like Family and hitting the charts with songs like “I Was Made for Dancin’” (1978). But his rise to fame was not without its challenges. Garrett faced intense media attention and pressure from his fans, which led him down a troubled path. After his career began to stall, Garrett turned to drugs, which only deepened his struggles.
Eventually, he stepped away from Hollywood, disappearing from the public eye for a period of time. Garrett made brief comebacks over the years, but his career never regained the heights it once had. Today, Garrett focuses on his personal life and continues to occasionally pop up in the media. He has become an example of how child stars can struggle to navigate the adult world of fame and its challenges.
8. Tracey Gold
Tracey Gold was a teen star on Growing Pains (1985-1992), where she played Carol Seaver, the intelligent and often sarcastic eldest child. However, Gold’s rise to fame was accompanied by serious struggles with eating disorders. After seeking treatment and focusing on her recovery, Gold made the brave decision to leave the entertainment industry for a while. She later returned to acting in smaller roles, but her focus had shifted.
Gold found purpose in advocating for others with eating disorders and later became a spokesperson for several recovery organizations. Her career in Hollywood was no longer her priority, and she instead worked to raise awareness about mental health issues. Today, Gold leads a more private life, but she still remains active in helping others who have faced similar challenges.
9. Willie Aames
Willie Aames made a name for himself in the ’70s and ’80s with roles in Eight is Enough (1977-1981) and Charles in Charge (1984-1990). However, despite his popularity, Aames found himself in a cycle of personal struggles, including issues with alcohol. By the mid-’90s, Aames made the decision to step away from Hollywood. He focused on his faith and started a career as a minister.
He also became involved in charity work, helping others who were struggling with addiction. Though Aames briefly returned to acting in the 2000s, his focus has remained on his personal life and ministry work. He continues to live away from the Hollywood spotlight, helping others find redemption and peace in their lives. His departure from Hollywood is a testament to his desire for a more fulfilling and purposeful life.
10. Ron Howard
Ron Howard began his career as a child star, best known for his role as Opie Taylor on The Andy Griffith Show (1960-1968). Though he transitioned successfully into adult roles, Howard eventually decided to shift gears entirely and pursue a career in directing. His departure from acting was not a typical one—he didn’t fall out of favor or step away due to personal issues. Rather, he consciously made the decision to leave acting behind to focus on filmmaking.
Howard found immense success behind the camera, directing iconic films like Apollo 13 (1995) and A Beautiful Mind (2001). Today, he is regarded as one of the most successful and respected directors in Hollywood. Howard’s decision to leave acting for directing was a calculated move that allowed him to thrive in a different facet of the entertainment industry.
11. Erin Moran
Erin Moran became a beloved teen star on Happy Days (1974-1984), where she played Joanie Cunningham. Despite the fame and success, Moran faced difficult years after the show ended, including financial issues and personal struggles. She struggled to find significant roles after Happy Days, which led her to make the choice to step away from Hollywood. Though she made a few appearances on TV shows and reality series over the years, Moran largely stayed out of the public eye.
Her struggles continued privately, and in 2017, Moran passed away at the age of 56. Her story is one of early fame, followed by an often difficult journey of self-discovery and dealing with the aftermath of being a child star. Moran’s time in the spotlight may have been brief, but it left a lasting impact on her fans.
12. Pamelyn Ferdin
Pamelyn Ferdin was a successful child actress during the ’70s, starring in TV shows like Lassie (1954-1973) and movies such as The FBI Story (1959). She was known for her ability to bring warmth and charm to her roles, but as the years passed, she began to feel the pressures of Hollywood. Ferdin made the decision to step away from acting in her teenage years, choosing to focus on her education and personal development.
She eventually became an advocate for animal rights and dedicated herself to working with various animal welfare organizations. While she occasionally returned to acting in small roles, her career was never a top priority after her departure. Ferdin’s choice to leave Hollywood reflects her desire for a quieter, more meaningful life outside the entertainment industry.
13. Michael Link
Michael Link had a brief but successful career as a child actor, with notable roles in TV shows such as The Happy Family (1972) and The Little House on the Prairie (1974). His charm and natural acting abilities made him a standout in his early roles, but after the ’70s, Link decided to take a step back from Hollywood. As a young adult, Link turned to education, focusing on a more stable and private life away from the limelight.
He went on to pursue a career in the sciences, where he found fulfillment outside of acting. While he has occasionally reappeared for interviews and brief roles, Michael Link has largely kept his distance from Hollywood, preferring the quiet life he has built. His decision to step away from acting early on was a rare one, but it paid off in the long run.
14. Ricky Segall
Ricky Segall’s acting career began at the tender age of six, with his most notable role being in the TV series Ricky Segall and the Segall Show (1976). Segall’s youthful energy and charisma made him a favorite among fans, but as he entered his teenage years, he felt the pressures of fame weighing heavily on him. Segall made the decision to leave Hollywood in the early ’80s, opting to pursue a career in music instead of acting.
He found success as a country singer and became known for his talents beyond acting. Segall’s shift to music allowed him to explore a different side of his creativity while maintaining a much lower profile than his early acting days. Though he still enjoys occasional performances, Segall remains mostly out of the public eye today, showing that it’s never too late to change directions.
